Australian Centre for Business Growth

How does a 44-year-old family business achieve a 334% growth in turnover and a 5x increase in revenue? 📈

By achieving clarity on who their real customers were and how to serve them better.

When Co-CEOs Emily Bradley and Steve Bradley took the reins at Design Group, they realised they were trying to be everything to everyone. While undertaking the ANZ Australia Business Growth Program, they found the strategic framework needed to identify their true target markets, expanding their focus from wholesale resellers to the trade professionals, architects, and end consumers who use their architectural hardware.

Today, Southern Design Group has grown from 12 employees to a team of over 100; established three distinct, highly successful brands; and is currently expanding into the US, European, and Asian markets as a Certified B Corporation.

As Emily puts it: “That change in mindset from thinking of the reseller as the customer, to seeing them as part of a larger ecosystem, helped us design better products, shape clearer brand identities, and ultimately reach the kind of customers who truly value what we offer.”

Read the full case study to see how Southern Design Group built the foundations for global growth 👇
https://centreforbusinessgrowth.com/case-studies/southern-design-group/?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer

Are you ready to take your space company to the next frontier? 🚀

We're recruiting for our next Space Growth Ramp cohort!

Delivered in collaboration with Adelaide University’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre and supported by the South Australian Space Industry Centre, this face-to-face program is specifically designed for CEOs, founders, and managing directors who want to transition from a great technical product to a highly scalable business.

Over six months, you will work directly with our experienced Growth Expert Ann Angel to cut through the noise, identify your growth inhibitors, and build a concrete 3-year plan to scale your operations sustainably.

A limited number of partially funded places are available for eligible companies.

Don't let scaling hurdles hold your growth mission back. Secure the skills and knowledge you need to grow your space company.

Learn more and register your interest today 👇
https://centreforbusinessgrowth.com/sponsors/space/?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer

Has the Federal Budget added another layer of pressure for scaling SMEs? 📉

After years of managing inflation, talent shortages, and global volatility, many business owners were looking to this budget for relief. Instead, an influx of new taxation and compliance burdens risks cooling the exact economic expansion Australia needs right now.

However, challenging macro environments can also act as a catalyst for strategic pivots. In the article, our director Ryan Williams breaks down how proactive leaders can respond, from managing the rising cost of regulatory compliance to exploring critical strategic options like unlocking capital tied up in commercial property and hyper-focusing on operational productivity.

Market shifts require discipline. The CEOs who protect cash flow, scrutinise capital allocation, and stay agile today will be the ones positioned to scale and capture market share tomorrow.

Thank you to Dynamic Business for sharing Ryan's views on how the 2026 Federal Budget is affecting SMEs' economic outlook.

Read the full article here 👇
https://dynamicbusiness.com/leadership-2/expert/oped-budget-fails-to-deliver-for-smbs-but-there-may-be-a-silver-lining.html?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer

Meet the Expert: Brad Carr 👋

If you are looking to scale an e-commerce business, Brad Carr is someone you want in your corner.

As a serial entrepreneur and e-commerce powerhouse, Brad has spent over 12 years building, scaling and successfully exiting some of Australia and New Zealand's biggest online retail brands.

Having navigated the entire business lifecycle, from ground-level startup to international acquisition, Brad knows exactly what it takes to overcome the hurdles of a rapidly scaling company. It's this firsthand experience that makes his strategic insights so invaluable for business owners looking to take their next big step.

When he isn't behind the keyboard driving strategic growth, you can find Brad enjoying the Gold Coast lifestyle, offshore fishing, or following his passion for motorsport. 🎣🏎️

Learn more about Brad's journey 👇
https://centreforbusinessgrowth.com/people/brad-carr/?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer

Is your South Australian business ready for the spotlight? ✨

We are incredibly proud to announce our Major Sponsorship of the 2026 South Australian Premier’s Business & Export Awards!

As part of our sponsorship, we are offering the Australian Centre for Business Growth Scholarship Award to a company the judges consider to have considerable growth potential. The deserving winner of this award will receive a fully funded scholarship for a business growth program tailored to their company's needs. 📈

To our amazing alumni: We strongly encourage you to apply! This is the perfect opportunity to showcase how much you have grown and be recognised for the contributions you are making to South Australia's economic wellbeing.

Every great business has a story worth celebrating. Whether you are a fast-growing start-up or an established industry leader, this is your chance to shine alongside the state’s best.

Nominations close on Friday 12 June.

Submit your nomination today 👇
https://sabusinesschamber.com.au/awards/home?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer

South Australian Business Chamber

What does it take to scale a workforce from a garage start-up to a global enterprise? Or build a thriving company culture over 25 years? 🚀

Theory is great, but when it comes to hiring and structuring your team for scale, nothing beats real-world experience.

Next week, as part of the 2026 ANZ Australia Business Growth Webinar Series, host and Growth Expert Sarah Curtis-Fawley is sitting down with two leaders who have successfully navigated the complexities of building growth-ready teams:

Jason Ruth (COO of Southern Design Group): With over 25 years of experience leading people development, business, and culture, Jason has mastered the art of helping talented people do brilliant things (and knowing when to nudge them toward a well-earned coffee break!).

Chris Procter (Growth Expert and Former CEO of Sealite): Chris knows firsthand the capability challenges of scaling up. He successfully oversaw Sealite's expansion from a humble garage-based start-up into a world-renowned, international manufacturer of marine and aviation navigation aids.

If you are a business owner looking to bypass the theory and get practical steps on how to define roles, lift team capability, and hire right, this free session is for you.

Secure your virtual seat for Thursday 👇
https://centreforbusinessgrowth.com/news-and-events/register-growth-ready-employees-building-capability-before-you-scale/?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer

📅 Date: Thursday, 4th June 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM (AEDT)
💻 Location: Online via Zoom (Free)

Are you selling more but making less? 📉

It is a common trap: believing that increasing revenue automatically equals success. But as the old saying goes, if you are selling pants for $1 but losing 25¢ on each pair, the more you sell, the faster you go broke. To win in business, you need both a good offence (sales) and a strong defence (profitability).

In our latest article, we are busting seven major myths about revenue, profitability, and business growth, including:
❌ "My accountant can worry about the profit."
❌ "Being profitable means we are ripping off customers."
❌ "There’s a silver bullet to fix my margins."

Read the breakdown and discover how small marginal changes can boost your bottom line.👇
https://centreforbusinessgrowth.com/news-and-events/busting-seven-myths-revenue-profitability-business-growth/?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer

Are you leading a South Australian business with international expansion as a goal? Or that deserves to be recognised for its achievements innovating and driving growth and jobs forward in SA? 🚀

Nominations for the 2026 William Buck Impact Awards are officially open! As a Gold Sponsor, we are incredibly proud to be backing the state's best companies to reach for the skies!

Since 2015, Impact Awards have celebrated the visionary leaders making a real difference in South Australia. The judging process itself delivers actionable expert feedback. And winning opens doors to brand exposure, global networking, and the exclusive Ambassador network to help accelerate your company's growth.

To be eligible, you must have:

☑️ A South Australian head office
☑️ A minimum 3 years of trading history
☑️ A demonstrated growth trajectory and national/global competitiveness

If this sounds like your business, or a business you know, don't miss this opportunity.

Nominate a business, or apply for yourself 👇
https://theimpactawards.com.au/nominate/?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer

Are people issues becoming your biggest growth blocker? 🛑

As your business scales, your team needs to evolve just as fast as your revenue. Hiring the wrong people, misaligning roles, or failing to lift your current team's capability can slow your momentum down to a crawl.

Join us for the next session in our 2026 ANZ Australia Business Growth Webinar Series: Growth-Ready Employees: Building Capability Before You Scale.

Hosted by Growth Expert Sarah Curtis-Fawley, this free session features real-world insights from Jason Ruth (COO of Southern Design Group) and Chris Procter (Growth Expert and former CEO of Sealite).

They will dive into practical steps to build a workforce that actually supports your growth, from knowing exactly when to hire, to spotting the early warning signs that a team structure just isn't working.

Register for free and learn how to scale your team without the growing pains! 👇
https://centreforbusinessgrowth.com/news-and-events/register-growth-ready-employees-building-capability-before-you-scale/?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer

📅 Date: Thursday, 4th June 2026
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM (AEDT)
💻 Location: Online via Zoom (Free)

How do you take a highly sensory in-store retail experience and successfully translate it into digital sales? 📈

For Gewürzhaus, early success was built on the incredible aromas and conversations inside their physical shops. But as retail shifted online, Co-Founder Maria Konecsny realised they were missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: a clear digital strategy and a deep understanding of their core customer profiles.

After completing the ANZ Australia Business Growth Program, the team refined their strategy, brought digital in-house, and focused heavily on customer connection. The results speak for themselves:

💰 36.1% growth in online sales
📈 25.5% increase in overall growth
🛒 45% increase in their store footprint

Read the full case study to see how Gewürzhaus blended data-driven digital engagement with their in-store experience to scale sustainably 👇
https://centreforbusinessgrowth.com/case-studies/gewurzhaus-spice-house/?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Australian+Centre+for+Business+Growth&utm_campaign=publer